Train stop and signal system



J. W. RENAULT. TRAIN STOP AND SIGNAL SYSTEM.

4 APPLICATION FILED OCT. 2, 1920.

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TRA'IN STOPAND SIGNAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 2'. 1920.

1,395,142, Patented 00h 25, 1921.

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J. w. RENAULT." TRAIN STOP AND SIGNAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 2, 1920.

Patented Oct. 25, 1-921.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3- h nww ATI'ORNEY J. W. RENAULT.

TRAIN STOP AND'SIGNAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION men OCT. 2,1920.

1,395,142. Patented Oct. 25, 1921.

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WITNESSES.

1, W. RENAULT.

TRAl-N STOP AND SIGNAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FlL ED OCT. 2, 1920.

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INVENTOR Patented Oct. 25, 1921.

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J. W. RENAULT.

TRAIN STOP AND SIGNAL SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED OCT Z, 1920.

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l 2, III I III I I A w w BY UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOSEPH W. RENAULT, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

TRAIN STOP AND SIGNAL SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 25, 1921.

Application filed October 2, 1920. Serial No. 414,177.

Signal Systems, of which the following is a.

specification.

This invention relates to automatically operated train stop and signal systems and has for an object the provision of a block signal system, wherein a train enteringa block will automatically set both a caution and an emergency device, so that should following train enter the same block while the latter is occupied, a caution or danger signal in the engine cab will be first operated, while further progress of the train will be interrupted by the emergency signal device, which will actuate suitable mechanism for stopping the train. v

Another object of the invention is the provision of means for resetting the signal oper ating means and the signals to their normal position just prior to the train leaving the block, so that the apparatus will be in readiness for operation by the next entering train.

Another object is the provision of means whereby, when the caution signal device has operated a signal in the cab, the latter will remain in set position until the train enters an unoccupied block.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the following description is read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view showingthe circuits connecting the various track devices.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the automatic track switch mechanism with one side of the casing removed.

Fig. 3 is a similar view with one end of the casing removed.

Fig. 4 is a plan View with the top of the casing removed.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6-is a detailed vievi of the contact members of the track switch mechanism showing the same separated.

Fig. 7 is a detailed view of the automatic catch of the track switch mechanism.

Fig. 8 is an elevation of one of the signal operating devices.

Fig. 9 is asectional view of the same.

Fig. 10 is a section on the line 1010 of Fig. 9.

Fig.11 is an elevation of the train carried device. I

Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view, of the same.

Fig. 13 is a section on the line 13-13 of Fig. 12.

Fig. li is a similar view on the line 14-14 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 15 is a plan View of the resetting switch.

Fig. 16 is an enlarged sectional view of the same.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like characters of reference denote cor- The automatic switch mechanism includes 4 a casing 25, within which is pivotally mounted as shown at 26, a main operating lever 27. This lever projects through a slot in the face of the casing 25 and is provided with an enlargement or head 28. Mounted for rotation in suitable bearings provided in spaced parallel plates 29, is a short shaft 30, while secured upon this shaft is an arm 31 which is pivotally connected by means of a link 32 with the lever 27. The upper end ofthe shaft 30. has secured thereon a head 33, the latter being adapted to engage either one of a pair of spaced lugs 34, located at one end of the bifurcated extremity of a slide rod 35. The shaft 30 extends through the bifurcation of this rod. The opposite end of the rod 35 is connected to one end of a slide 36, the latter operating beneath a bracket 37 secured to one of the plates 29. The opposite face of the bracket 37 has mounted thereon a slide 38 which is connected to the slide 36 by means of a pin 39, the latter operating within a slot l0 provided in the bracket 37. The slides 36 and 38 are yieldingly held in their nor mal position by means of spring 31 which surrounds the rod 35 and has one end hearing against the connection with the slide 36 and its opposite end against the end of the bracket 37. Pivotally mounted between spaced ears carried by the slide 38 is a spring arm 42, one end of which is formed into a weight &8, while its opposite end 44 is adapted to engage a stop bar 45 which is mounted for sliding movement in suitable guides carried by a casing d6. When the slides 36 and 88 are in their normal position, the end 44 of the arm 42 engages over the top of the stop bar 45, so that the latter is held in its-lowered position. The lower end of the bar 45 is beveled for engagement with the beveled upper surface of the weighted or enlarged end iii of the lever l2. Connected to the stop bar 45 and extending through the casing as is an arm 47, the inner end of which is connected to a plunger 48 which operates in a guide opening l0 provided in the restricted upper end of the casing 4:6. Connected to the plunger 48 is a disk 50 which forms an armature for a traction by an electromagnet 51 which is contained within the casing 46. The upper end of the plunger 48 is provided with a transverse opening 52' andextending through this opening is a lever 53, one end of which is pivotally mounted upon an arm 54; carried by the casing L6. The opposite end of this lever 53 is connected by means of a link 55 with one end of a lever 56, the latter being mounted .for pivotal movement upon an arm 57 also carried by the casing 46.

The opposite end of the lever 56 is connected with a slide 58 which is mounted in a guide 59 secured upon the inside of the casing 25. The lower end of the slide 58 carries a movable contact member 60, which is adapted to engage a stationary contact member 61. In addition, the slide 58 is provided with a handle 62 by means of which the movable contact member may be manually controlled if desired.

The signal operating devices 21 and 22 are similar in construction and are arranged at spaced points adjacent the track. Each of these devices comprise a casing 63 which is provided in one face with a semi-circular slot 64 and with a closed cover or other protected opening 65. Located within the casing 63 and spaced from the wall having the semi-circular slot 6 is a support 66. Mounted in a bearing provided in this support and in a bearing provided in a plate 67 which is carried by and spaced from the support, is a shaft 68 which has secured upon one end an arm 69. This arm provided with a ri ht angular extension 70 which extends through and operates in the slot 64 and is provided with anenlargement or head C 1. Mounted upon the shaft 68'is a pinion 72 which is engaged by a toothed segment 78. This segment is located at one end of an arm 7a which is mounted for pivotal movement as shown at 75 in a bearing provided in the plate 67.

The extremity of the arm 74.- is connected by means of a rod 76 with one end of a lever 7'7, the latter being mounted for pivotal movement as shown at 78 and having its opposite end engaged to provide an armature 79. This armature is adapted to be attracted by electromagnets 80, which, when energized will draw the armature 79 downward and move the arm 74L- upon its pivot, whereupon the pinion '72 will be rotated and the arm 70 caused to travel around the slot 64. The magnets 80 are mounted upon a bracket 81, which carries binding posts 82 and 83, while connectedto these last mentioned binding posts are conductor wires 84 which lead to a signal, herein shown as an electric bulb 85 which is passable through the opening 65 of the casing 63.

The signal operating device 21 is preferably located at the entrance ofra block, while the device 22 is spaced some distance therefrom within the block and the track switch mechanism in turn spaced from the device 22, while located along the inside of the end of the block is the resetting switch 23.

This last mentioned device includes a casing 86 within which is positioned spaced arcuate stationary contact members 87, having connected thereto binding posts 88. Mounted for 'pivotalmovement between the contact members 87 is a contact member 89, the pivot of which is connected to a lever which carries at one end an enlargement or head 91. The contact members 87 and 89 are normally disengaged and are held in such disengaged position by means of a lug 92 which is carried by the lever 90, and which engages oppositely disposed spring arms 93. By this means when the lever 90 is operated by the train carried device to be hereinafter described, only a momentary closing of the contacts is efiected, the action of the lug 92 engaging the spring arms 93 causing the return of the contact member 89 to its disengaged central position between the members 87.

Suitably mounted upon the train is a train carried device 24, which includes a preferably cylindrical casing 59% having projecting therefrom pivoted levers 95 and 96 and carrying enlargements or heads 97 and 98 respectively. Each of the levers 95 and 96 carry contact segments 99 which are adapted to engage and bridge spaced contact members 100 carrying binding posts ,101, the said members 100 being mounted upon plates 102 contained within the casing. The contact members 101 have connected thereto conductor wires 103 which operate a caution signal'of any character located within the cab of the'engine and conductor wires 104 which may' controlsuitable mechanism for shutting off the steam and applying the brakes of'the train. In addition,

the casing has extending therefrom a lever 105 which is mounted upon a rod 106 mounted in bearings in the casing. This rod has secured thereon spaced dogs 107 which engage the levers 95 and 96 when the latter are in position to locate the contact member 99 across the contacts and interrupt the circuits 103 and 104. The base oi? the casing 94 is provided with an extention 108, the purpose of which will be hereinafter explained.

Current is supplied to the track dev1ces from a suitable source of supply through the medium of: conductor wires 109, a conductor 110 leading from one of these wires to one of the binding posts 88 of the resetting switch, while the other binding post has connected thereto a conductor 111 which leads to a conductor 112 connected to the magnet 51 of the switch mechanism. A conductor 113 leads from the conductor 109 just reterred'to to one of the binding posts of the stationary contact member 61 of the switch, while a conductor 114 leads from the upper binding post to one of the binding posts 82 of each of the devices 21 and 22. The other binding post of each of these devices is connected by means of conductor wires 115 to the other conductor wire 109, while a conductor 116 leads to the other binding post 112 of the magnet 51.

In the operation of the invention, a train entering a block such as illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings will engage the head 28 of the lever 27, through :contact of the extension 108 of the casing 94 of the train carried device. This will operate the lever 27 which will in turn actuate the slide rod 35 and move the slide to release the stop bar 45 which has been held in its lowermost position by the engagement of the spring arm 42. The slide 58 upon the end of the lever 56 will overbalance the weight of the plunger 48, so that the said slide will descend and the movable contact 60 will engage the stationary contact 61, whereupon a circuit will be completed through the magnets 80 of the track devices 21 and 22'. The magnets 80 thus energized, will attract the armature '79 and will through the connecting rod 76 actuate the toothed segment 73 to rotate the pinion 72, whereupon the arm '71 which lies at the bottom of the semi-circular slot 64, will be raised to the top of the said slot. On leaving the block, the extention 108 of the casing 94 of the train carried device will engage the head 91 of the lever 90, whereupon the movable contact member 89 will engage the stationary contacts 87 for a short period, the movable contact member 89 being returned to its normal position through the action of the spring arms 93 as previously explained. This period is sutlicient to energize the magnet 51 and attract the armature 50 so that the plunger 48 will be drawn downward and the lever 56 rocked upon its pivot to disengage the contact members 60 and 61. In the meantime, the spring 40 has returned the slide bar 45. and the slides 86 and 38 to their normal position so that the stop bar 45 will engage beneath the spring arm 42 and the parts positioned for action by the next approaching train. As soon as the circuit is broken by a separation of the contact members 60 and 61, the magnets will be deenergized and the levers 70 will return to their normal position at the lower end of the semi-circular slots 64.

Nhen a train enters an occupied block, the devices 21 and 22 will be in active position due to the fact that the train already within the block has not reached the resetting switch 23, whereupon, the slide 97 of the arm of the train carried device will engage the head of the. arm 70 so that t Should, however, the block become clear between the time the train passes the device 21 and before it reaches the device 22, the arm 7 0 of the last mentioned device will engage the lever 105, due to the fact that the said arm is at the lower end of the slot 64. This will operate the lever 105 so as to separate the contacts or the train carried device. Should the block ahead be clear at the time the train was passing the device 21 and the said block become occupied before the train reaches the device 22, in passing the latter device, the arm 70 thereon will operate the lever 96 of the train carried device and stop the train in the manner before described. At any time the block ahead of a train is clear, the levers 0 of the devices 21 and 22 will be at the lowermost end of the slots 64, where they can only engage the lever 105 of the train carried device. 911cc a signal is set in the cab of the locomotive, it remains in said position until a clear block is reached, when th circuit will be automatically broken.

The invention is susceptible of various changes in its form, proportions and minor details of construction and the right is herein reserved to make such changes as properly {all within the scope of the appended claims. 1

Having described the invention what is claimed is 1. A train stop and signal system comprising electrical controlled track devices, said devices embodying a normally open electric switch, a pair of spaced abutments disposed at different elevations and controlled by the electric switch and a resetting switch for returning the devices to normal position and a train carried device capable of being selectively operated by the track devices to regulate the movement of a train.

2. A train stop and signal system comprising in combination with a train carried device, electrical connected track devices, said devices embodying a normally open electric switch which includes normally open magnet controlled contact members, means for locking the armature of the magnet to prevent closing ofthe contact members and means extending in the path of the train carried devices for releasing the armature locking means to permit of the closing of the contact members, a signal controlling device spaced from said switch and moved by the closing-of the contacts into the path of the train devices and a resetting switch for returning the device to normal position.

3. A train stop and signal system comprising in combination with a train carried device, electrical connected track devices, said devices embodying a normally open electric switch which includes normally open magnet controlled weight operated contact members, means for locking the armature of the magnet to prevent closing of the contact members and means extending in the path of. the train carried devices for releasing the armature locking means to permit of the closing of the contact members, a signal controlling device spaced from said switch and moved by the closing of the contact into the path of the train device and a resetting switch for returning the devices to normal position.

4. A train stop and signal system comprising in combination with a train carried device, electrical connected track devices, said devices embodying a normally open electric switch which includes a stationary contact member and a movable contact memin the path of the train carried device for bers,.an electro magnet, an armature controlled thereby, means connecting the armature'and the movable contact member, whereby, when the magnet is energized the contact members will, be separated, a slidingly mounted member for holding the armature against movement to prevent closing of the contact membersand means extending within the path of the train carried device for releasing the armature, a signal controlling device spaced from said switch and moved by the closing of the contacts into the-path of the train device and a resetting switch for returning the devices to normal position.

6. A train stop and signal system comprising in combination with a train carried device, electrical connected track devices in: cluding a main switch, a signal controlling device spaced from said'switch and operated thereby to control. the operation of a signal, said signal controlling device includinga movable abutment, gearing connected thereto for controllingthe height of the abutment and an electric magnet controlled by the main switch for operating the gearing to move the abutment into the path of the train carried device and a resetting switch for returning the device to normal position. 7. The combination with a train stop and signal system embodying a plurality of track devices each having an abutment disposed at different elevations and controlling a switch, of a train device including a plurality of normally open pivoted switch operating levers .engageable with said abutments to operate the levers and close the switch and a resetting lever also engageable with one of the abutments to return the switch levers to their normal position.

In testimony. whereof I affix my signature. JOSEPH W. RENAULT.

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